Dang, I dunno, perhaps my engines were not taken care of by PO's, but at 5k, my Mobil1 comes out blacker than coal.

That's the motor. And previous oils. The oil is supposed to remove carbon from the motor.
If you run a flush it should help get rid a lot of that carbon.
I don't use chemical flushes.
I use DEX 3 transmission fluid.
Run 1 full quart (remove 1 quart or oil) of transmission fluid through your motor for 15-30 minutes just before you change your oil. And you'll be surprised how clean that will get you.
I also run (on old dirty motors) 1/4 quart of tranny fluid the either 3-5000 mile oil change.

That's the motor. And previous oils. The oil is supposed to remove carbon from the motor.
If you run a flush it should help get rid a lot of that carbon.
I don't use chemical flushes.
I use DEX 3 transmission fluid.
Run 1 full quart (remove 1 quart or oil) of transmission fluid through your motor for 15-30 minutes just before you change your oil. And you'll be surprised how clean that will get you.
I also run (on old dirty motors) 1/4 quart of tranny fluid the either 3-5000 mile oil change.

Hmm...I'll give that a thought. That sounds like a recipe for leaking seals though, since all that carbon is probably the only thing keeping it sealed at this point